Trust Him!

Next to my Pop and Granny's was an abandoned house, and I remember the big-bold sign warning people to stay away.  Jesus said in Matthew 6:25, "I tell you, stop being worried or anxious about your life." We say, "it's only natural" to to be ever uneasy about life.  Of course, it is!  The Child of God, however, has been given a new nature - one which does not practice infidelity (unfaithfulness) to obeying The Holy Spirit Who lives within.  Most commonly, it's the little things of life that distract us and draw us away from fully trusting God. "Look at the birds of the air; they neither sow nor gather and yet your heavenly Father keeps feeding them. Are you not worth more than they?" (V.26). Jesus' message is simple and clear: trust Me!  Prayerfully and humbly consider what cares trouble you then abandon them, giving them to God Almighty (El Shaddai) the One (and only One) Who is completely able and trustworthy. Trust Him!​

Redeemed

Store coupons frustrate me! If I even remember to take them with me or use them, they are expired. The look on the cashier's face in no way matches the look on mine. Those who have believed on Jesus (Believers) have this great assurance: "In [Jesus] we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins." (Colossians 1:14). That word "redemption" means "a releasing of a debt by full payment." And, how? "In Him [Jesus] we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our sin, according to the riches of His grace." (Ephesians 1:7). What a shame so many have rejected what God has done for spiritual freedom! Nonetheless, it is done, paid in full. No one will be collecting coupons on that future Day of The Lord [when He returns]: "Behold, now is the favorable time; behold, now is the day of salvation." (2 Corinthians 6:2). Believe on Him now then put on your happiest face. You've been redeemed!

No Shame

Every time I hear the word "shame," I think of how Gomer Pyle accentuated the word: "Shame! Shame! Shame!" he would say in his slow prolonged Southern drawl. I'm also reminded of one of our familly pets (named DC) who knew he was in trouble, and do his best to hide from us. According to Noah Webster's 1868 dictionary, shame is "a painful sensation excited by a consciousness of guilt." Although I've often said there is little shame these days, we all know what shame is or what it should be! In Paul's second letter to young Timothy, he wrote,  "Study and do your best to present yourself to God approved, a workman [tested by trial] who has no reason to be ashamed, accurately handling and skillfully teaching the word of truth." (2 Timothy 2:15 AMP). The word "study" carries with it the state of eagerness to be the best we can be. Let's be clear: the world's idea of best is not the standard Paul is referring to in this verse. He plainly says the standard is one approved by God! For the child of God (born-again, redeemed), this state-of-being unashamed is not to be taken casually. Scripture tells us that Ezra "devoted himself to the study and observance of the Law of the LORD, and to teaching its decrees and laws in Israel" (Ezra 7:10 NIV). Honestly, that to which we "devote" ourselves to reveals what we consider most important - a priority. Let me say from experience: neglect leads to shame. When I neglect mopping or scrubbing or dusting, my floors, bathrooms and furniture become "shamefully" dirty. Paul reminds us to make haste (eagerly, diligently) give our very best effort (do our best) to study and meditate on God's Word so that we become approved by God Most High and bear ... no shame.

Show-Off Faith

For most of our day-to-day decisions, we rely on basic common sense - I'm grateful for that sensibility!  Common sense, however, is often a hindrance to faith.  The way of faith can be paralyzing but it’s the way of Christ: “For we walk by faith, not by sight.” (2 Corinthians 5:7).  “At the bar of common sense, Jesus Christ’s statements may seem mad; but bring them to the bar of faith, and you begin to find with awestruck spirit that they are the words of God.” (Oswald Chambers).  When we come to decisions based on pure reason,  faith usually loses to the sensible.  God assures us faith is displays our decisions: “Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works.” (James 2:26).  Faith’s evidences will be its non-sense moves – those decisions made in faith in spite of common sense.  This is when our faith is exposed, and God is honored.  Do you have a ... show-off faith?

Nothing Left

The ending of a day or a project or an event can leave us tired, frazzled, exhausted, spent. We feel as it there's nothing left! We can feel as if physically, mentally, emotionally we've given all we had, poured all-of-us into something. God said we are to love Him like that - with "all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might." (Deuteronomy 6:5). The Hebrews word "heart" includes mind, knowledge, thinking, reflection, memory, conscience ... the seat of all man's appetites, emotions, passions and courage. It is loving God and the things of God with all we are, and that love stimulates us to love in word and deed. Quite simply, it means we love God with all we have in us - till there's ... nothing left.